WATERFOWL of Australasia
The order Anseriformes contains about 150 living species of birds in three families: the Anhimidae (the screamers), Anseranatidae (the Magpie Goose), and the Anatidae, which includes over 140 species of waterfowl, among them the ducks, geese, and swans. All species in the order are web-footed for efficient swimming and have a large wide bill with a specialized tongue that allows water to be sucked in the front of the bill. An array of plates traps food particles as the water is expelled out the sides of the bill. Not all species feed this way, some graze on plants and some also catch fish. [abstracted from Wikipedia]
Sheldgeese and Shelducks
Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae SubFamily Tadorninae
Tadorninae is the shelduck-sheldgoose subfamily of family Anatidae. This group is largely tropical or Southern Hemisphere in distribution, with only two species, the Common Shelduck and the Ruddy Shelduck breeding in northern temperate regions. The Tadorninae are somewhat intermediate between geese and dabbling ducks.
Shelducks
Genus Tadorana
Shelduck, Australian Tadorna tadornoides Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1, 5) Dick Daniels - Australia 2, 3, 4, 8) Dick - Sylvan Heights 6, 7) Dick - Sylvan Heights
1, 2, 3) Female 4 - 7) Male
Shelduck, Paradise Tadorna variegata Found: New Zealand
Photographed by: 1, 7) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 2, 3, 4, 5) Dick - New Zealand 6) Dick - Sylvan Heights
2. 3) Female 4 - 7) Male
Shelduck, Radjah aka Raja Shelduck Tadorna radjah Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 5, 7) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights
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